On a seemingly relaxed Sunday morning in late September, I woke up to a text that read, “We’re counting you in for the Coldplay concert,” and thus began the rollercoaster ride of excitement, anticipation, followed by disappointment and indifference. Thousands of people around the country went through the same emotions. In recent years, live music gigs and festivals have gained immense popularity, with fans often traveling across borders to catch performances by their favorite artists, including the likes of K-pop band BTS, Taylor Swift, Imagine Dragons, and many more. These concerts are celebrated as much for the electrifying experience they offer as for the music.
Attending a concert or a music festival, even if you’re familiar with only a few songs or artists from the lineup, is a great way to discover new music and create unforgettable memories. While many have missed booking tickets to watch Coldplay or Diljit Dosanjh live, there’s still a chance to grab tickets for Maroon 5’s debut performance in India. Beyond that, there’s a dazzling array of music festivals and performances to look forward to. Here are some that could make your musical journey unforgettable.
Starting with Lollapalooza on March 8-9, 2025, in Mumbai, this music festival has experienced its share of highs and lows over the last 30 years. Uniquely bringing diverse musical genres together in one lineup, Lollapalooza was a trendsetter in expanding multiple-day events, adding a second stage, and integrating art with activism. Following its successful first and second editions in India, the third edition was announced in September. The lineup features American punk rock band Green Day as the headliner, with 35 other artists including Shawn Mendes, Louis Tomlinson, Humankind, Glass Animals, Isabel LaRosa, and many others performing across four stages over two days.
Owen Roncon, chief of business for live events at BookMyShow, emphasizes the crucial role of innovation in enhancing the festival experience. “Our teams dedicate nearly an entire year to this effort, considering the global touring routes of artists, discovering new sounds, and matching potential artist names with the Indian audience’s tastes,” Roncon explains. “We introduced the VerTech Stage System last year, a cutting-edge system that enables larger-than-life performances, enhancing both the audience and artists’ experiences.” The system, an all-steel, high-capacity structure with integrated towers for extra stability, is well-suited for large-scale live events. As expected, tickets for the upcoming edition of Lollapalooza sold out five months in advance.
Echoes of the Earth, taking place December 7-8, 2024, in Bengaluru, is known as India’s greenest music festival. Now hosting its seventh edition, it offers an eclectic mix of genres, instruments, and cultural influences.
. Roshan Netalkar, festival director of Echoes of the Earth, notes the growing eco-consciousness among the younger generation. “We’ve been talking about being eco-conscious since the beginning, and now, we cater to a large and growing community of music enthusiasts,” he states. This year’s lineup features artists like Mount Kimbie, Satori, French 79, and Yīn Yīn, united under the theme ‘Symphony of Seasons.’ The festival grounds will be divided into zones, each representing a season, with thematic stages and innovative waste-to-art installations.
Moving to Rajasthan, Magnetic Fields is scheduled for December 6-8, 2024. Celebrating its 10th season, this vibrant contemporary music and art festival in Alsisar, amidst the golden sands of North Rajasthan, aims to discover new electronic and adjacent styles of music. Munbir Chawla, co-founder and festival director, argues, “People are now chasing experiences. Obviously, the lineup draws people in, but the unique experience is what sells tickets.” This year’s highlights include Ecuadorian producer Nicola Cruz, a live set by German-Italian composer David August, and DJ Midland’s five-hour closing set. Tickets are available at tickets.magneticfields.in.
Bengaluru will also host Bandlands on November 23-24, a burgeoning metal and rock music festival featuring 14 international and Indian artists. Owen Roncon reveals that last year, 57% of attendees came solo, leaving with newfound connections through a shared love for music. The headliners this year are Avenged Sevenfold and Extreme, alongside performances from bands like Everything Everything and Rajasthan’s guitar virtuoso Sutej Singh, offering a raw, authentic music experience to fans.
Meghalaya’s Cherry Blossom festival on November 15-16 celebrates the state’s transformation into a pink paradise each winter, drawing tourists nationwide. Organised in partnership with the state’s Tourism Department, the festival features international artists like Akon and DJ R3HAB, alongside national performers. This year’s theme, ‘Year of Legends,’ pairs international and national legends in a vibrant showcase, enriched by a Japanese village created in collaboration with the Japanese Embassy, offering a complete immersive experience.
Now that you know where to go for your musical fixes, let us know if you secured passes for some of the biggest musical events of the year. Here’s wishing you the best of luck because you are indeed going to need it!
